Transceiver mounting adapters

ABSTRACT

A transceiver adapter is provided that includes a substrate, including electrical contacts on a first side thereof for electrically contacting a transceiver, and electrical contacts on a second side thereof for electrically contacting a printed wire assembly. A transceiver adapter is also provided that includes an adapter plate, including (a) tabs for positioning a transceiver, and (b) mounting pins for coupling the adapter plate with a printed wire assembly; and a substrate hole through which a transceiver may be electrically mated with a printed wire assembly. A transceiver is also provided that includes electrical contacts; and a mateable electrical connector, including (a) electrical contacts on a first side thereof for electrically contacting the electrical contacts of the transceiver, and (b) electrical contacts on a second side thereof for electrically contacting a printed wire assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application makes reference to co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______, entitled “Mounted Transceivers,” filed Jun.11, 2001, Attorney Docket No. PICO-0039-1, the entire contents anddisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to optical or coppermedia transceivers, and more particularly to adapters for mountingvarious transceivers on different printed wire boards.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Optical transmitters convert a low voltage differentialelectrical data signal distributed on an electrical medium such as acopper printed wiring assembly (PWA) or a connector to an optical signalpropagating over an optical medium such as a glass, plastic fiber orfree space. Optical receivers convert an optical signal propagating overan optical medium such as a glass, plastic fiber or free space to a lowvoltage differential electrical data signal distributed on an electricalmedium such as a copper printed wiring assembly (PWA) or a connector.Optical transceivers combine optical transmitters and optical receiversin a single unit or module. In order to pass data at very high datarates, the optical transceiver utilizes high bandwidth amplifiers toensure fast edge rates and open data eye patterns. To properly reproducesignals that have traveled over long cables and through multipleinterconnects, optical transceiver amplifiers are configured with highgain and bandwidth as well as good signal to noise ratios. Withinherently high bandwidth and sensitivity, optical transceivers can passnoise present in the host system into the data stream if the host PWA isnot properly designed, resulting in poor error rates, intermittentproblems and poor electromagnetic interference (EMI) compliance.

[0006] Optical transceivers differ in size and shape and in the mannerin which they connect to a host PWA depending on the manufacturer of theoptical transceiver. The mounting requirements of optical transceiversmake optical transceiver manufacture and host PWA construction difficultand expensive. The ability to connect an optical transceiver to a hostPWA that is not specifically manufactured to mate with the opticaltransceiver would increase the value of the optical transceiver andallow for efficient connection to multiple prefabricated host PWAs, andfacilitate pre-shipment configuration and field upgrade requirements.

[0007] Currently, connecting a transceiver with a host PWA requiresadditional manual soldering operations. Manual soldering is expensiveand greatly limits the ability of repairing or upgrading the host PWA inthe field. In other situations, the optical sub-assembly (OSA),including the various electrical contacts and host PWA, are reflowedtogether. Therefore, the OSA must withstand the heat applied duringsolder reflow. This procedure can affect the reliability of the OSA andhost PWA, and, in addition, limits the repairability of the apparatus inthe field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anadapter that will allow a single transceiver to mate with multipleelectrical contact footprints.

[0009] It is a further object to provide an OSA configuration that doesnot require additional manual soldering operations to connect atransceiver to a host PWA.

[0010] It is yet another object to provide an OSA configuration thatdoes not require additional tools to connect a transceiver to a hostPWA, or require tools for removal.

[0011] It is yet another object to provide an adapter that allows forthe installation of existing transceivers in existing host PWAs.

[0012] According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a transceiver adapter that includes a substrate, includingelectrical contacts on a first side thereof for electrically contactinga transceiver, and electrical contacts on a second side thereof forelectrically contacting a printed wire assembly.

[0013] According to a second broad aspect of the invention, there isprovided a transceiver adapter that includes an adapter plate, including(a) tabs for positioning a transceiver, and (b) mounting pins forcoupling the adapter plate with a printed wire assembly; and a substratehole through which a transceiver may be electrically mated with aprinted wire assembly.

[0014] According to a third broad aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a transceiver that includes electrical contacts; and amateable electrical connector, including (a) electrical contacts on afirst side thereof for electrically contacting the electrical contactsof the transceiver, and (b) electrical contacts on a second side thereoffor electrically contacting a printed wire assembly.

[0015] Other objects and features of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention will be described in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a transceiver adapter plate inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a transceiver adapter plate inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a transceiver adapter plate inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0020]FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a transceiver adapter inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the transceiver adapter ofFIG. 4A;

[0022]FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of an adapter clip as shownin FIGS. 4A and 4B;

[0023]FIG. 5A illustrates in schematic form an embodiment of an adaptermounting pin of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 5B illustrates in schematic form an alternative embodiment ofan adapter mounting pin of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 5C illustrates in schematic form an alternative embodiment ofan adapter mounting pin of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of an adapter of the presentinvention;

[0027]FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 6A;

[0028]FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of an adapter according to thepresent invention;

[0029]FIG. 7B is a bottom perspective view of an adapter according tothe present invention;

[0030]FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofan adapter of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 8B is a bottom plan view of the adapter of FIG. 8A;

[0032]FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofan adapter of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 9B is a bottom plan view of the adapter of FIG. 9A;

[0034]FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of a printed wire assemblyaccording to the present invention showing two different electricalcontact footprints;

[0035]FIG. 10B is a top perspective view of two transceivers configuredto contact the printed wire assembly shown in FIG. 10A;

[0036]FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of a printed wire assembly withan adapter of the present invention mounted thereon;

[0037]FIG. 11B is a top perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 11A withan electrical connector mounted thereon;

[0038]FIG. 11C is a top perspective view of a transceiver coupled to theadapter of FIG. 11B;

[0039]FIG. 12A is a top perspective view of a transceiver coupled to anadapter of the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 12B is a bottom perspective view of a transceiver coupled toan adapter of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 13A is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofan adapter of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 13B is a top perspective view of a transceiver coupled to theadapter of FIG. 13A;

[0043]FIG. 14A illustrates in schematic form an alternative embodimentof an adapter of the present invention;

[0044]FIG. 14B illustrates in schematic form an alternative embodimentof an adapter of the present invention mounted on a printed wireassembly;

[0045]FIG. 15A is a top perspective view of a printed wire assemblyaccording to the present invention showing two different electricalcontact footprints;

[0046]FIG. 15B is a top perspective view of the printed wire assembly ofFIG. 15A with an electrical connector mounted thereon according to thepresent invention;

[0047]FIG. 15C is a top perspective view of a transceiver coupled to theelectrical connector of FIG. 15B according to the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 15D is bottom perspective view of a transceiver coupled to anelectrical connector according to the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 16A is a bottom perspective view of a host PWA with atransceiver mounted thereon according to the present invention; and

[0050]FIG. 16B is a top perspective view of a host PWA with atransceiver mounted thereon according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0051] It is advantageous to define several terms before describing theinvention. It should be appreciated that the following definitions areused throughout this application.

[0052] Definitions

[0053] Where the definition of terms departs from the commonly usedmeaning of the term, applicant intends to utilize the definitionsprovided below, unless specifically indicated.

[0054] For the purposes of the present invention, the term“footprint(s)” refers to the location and orientation of electricaland/or mechanical contacts on a host PWA.

[0055] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “OSA” refersto any Optical Sub-Assembly. These sub-assemblies include, but are notlimited to: optical elements, electro-optic devices, optoelectronicdevices, mechanical alignment structures, electronic devices, andinterconnect means.

[0056] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “transceiver”refers to an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, or an opticaltransceiver.

[0057] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “uni-bodyconstruction” refers to an apparatus or device that may be made from asingle piece of material.

[0058] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “footprintadapting substrate” or “substrate” refers to a material that conducts ortransfers an electrical signal between electrical contacts. A footprintadapting substrate or substrate allows misaligned or non-alignedelectrical contacts to communicate with each other without beingdirectly in contact.

[0059] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “mating”refers to the electrical and/or mechanical coupling of two devices orfeatures of an OSA, transceiver or host PWA, and “de-mating” refers tothe electrical and/or mechanical decoupling of two devices or featuresof an OSA, transceiver or host PWA.

[0060] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “mateableelectrical connector” refers to an electrical connector that is capableof repeated mating and de-mating by mechanical motion in a directionsubstantially non-parallel to the plane of the host PWA, and preferablyin a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the host PWA.

[0061] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “collar clip”refers to an attachment mechanism for securing a transceiver within anadapter of the present invention. A collar clip wraps around thetransceiver and extends at least partially across the top of thetransceiver.

[0062] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “substratehole” refers to a region of an adapter plate through which a transceivermay be electrically mated with a host PWA. A substrate hole is referredto as a “hole” because in at least some portion of the region of theadapter plate there is no adapter plate material. The substrate hole maybe covered, filled or deposited with a footprint adapting substrate topromote electrical communication in and through the region.

[0063] Description

[0064] For clarity, like elements have been provided with like referencenumerals throughout except that a prime has been added to each referencenumeral where there is a slight difference in that particular element inthat particular embodiment.

[0065] The present invention addresses the issue of theinterchangeability of transceivers with various electrical contactfootprints. The present invention provides a transceiver adapter thatincludes a substrate, including electrical contacts on a first sidethereof for electrically contacting a transceiver, and electricalcontacts on a second side thereof for electrically contacting a printedwire assembly. A transceiver adapter is also provided that includes anadapter plate, including (a) tabs for positioning a transceiver, and (b)mounting pins for coupling the adapter plate with a printed wireassembly; and a substrate hole through which a transceiver may beelectrically mated with a printed wire assembly. A transceiver is alsoprovided that includes electrical contacts; and a mateable electricalconnector, including (a) electrical contacts on a first side thereof forelectrically contacting the electrical contacts of the transceiver, and(b) electrical contacts on a second side thereof for electricallycontacting a printed wire assembly.

[0066]FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate alternative embodiments of an adapterplate of the present invention. In FIG. 1, adapter plate 100 isconfigured with tabs 105 for positioning, orienting, restraining andretaining a transceiver (not shown). Mounting pins 110 provide aconnection point for adapter plate 100 to be coupled with a host printedwiringe assembly (PWA) (not shown). Substrate hole 115 provides a regionfor establishing electrical contact between a transceiver and a hostPWA. Substrate hole 115 creates a region in the material of adapterplate 100 through which electrical contacts of a transceiver may bemated with electrical contacts of a host PWA.

[0067]FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an adapter plateof the present invention. Adapter plate 200 is configured with tabs 205for positioning, restraining and orienting a transceiver (not shown).Mounting pins 210 provide a connection point for adapter plate 200 to becoupled with a host PWA (not shown). Substrate hole 215 provides aregion for establishing electrical contact between a transceiver and ahost PWA. Substrate hole 215 creates a region in the material of adapterplate 200 through which electrical contacts of a transceiver may bemated with electrical contacts of a host PWA.

[0068]FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an adapter plateof the present invention. Adapter plate 300 is configured with tabs 305for positioning, restraining and orienting a transceiver (not shown).Mounting pins 310 provide a connection point for adapter plate 300 to becoupled with a host PWA (not shown). Substrate hole 315 provides aregion for establishing electrical contact between a transceiver and ahost PWA. Substrate hole 315 creates a region in the material of adapterplate 300 through which electrical contacts of a transceiver may bemated with electrical contacts of a host PWA.

[0069] A substrate hole provides a region in which a footprint adaptingsubstrate may be inserted or deposited to provide electricalcommunication between electrical contacts that are not aligned or aremisaligned. The nonalignment or misalignment may be due toincompatibility of the elements of the assembly or may be due to errorin manufacture or design. Regardless, the footprint adapting substrateallows misaligned or nonaligned electrical contacts to communicate witheach other without being directly in contact. The footprint adaptingsubstrate may be of any suitable conducting material such as a metal,for example, steel or copper. Depending on the application of thepresent invention, the footprint adapting substrate may have electricalcontacts on a first side of the substrate that mate with a transceiverand electrical contacts on a second side of said substrate that matewith a host PWA.

[0070] Adapter plates of the type shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may beconfigured with any suitable dimensions, but are preferably configuredto secure a transceiver between the tabs. The tabs are not limited tobeing rectangular in shape, but rather may be square, rounded, angular,etc. In addition, the adapter plates may be configured with any numberof tabs, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. The tabs may be uniform in sizeand shape or may vary in dimension. The tabs may be positioned in anylocation on the adapter plate to secure the transceiver, and may possessspring latching or keying structures to retain the transceiver securely.

[0071]FIGS. 4A and 4B show an embodiment of an adapter of the presentinvention. Adapter 400 is configured with substrate 405. Substrate 405is configured with mounting pins 410 to provide a connection point foradapter 400 to be coupled with a host PWA (not shown). Mounted onsubstrate 405 is electrical connector 415. Electrical connector 415provides electrical contacts 417 for aligning with the transceivercontacts (not shown). Electrical connector 415 may be a BGA connector orother suitable connector. Electrical connector 415 utilizes a ball gridarray contact for attachment, for example by soldering, to substrate 405and/or a host PWA. Electrical connector 415 utilizes blade contacts orother suitable contacts for the mate/demate interface between electricalconnector 415 mating halves.

[0072] Electrical contacts 420 are shown in FIG. 4B. Electrical contacts420 provide electrical contact between substrate 405 and a host PWA.Adapter 400 is also configured with collar clip 425 for securing atransceiver in adapter 400. As shown in FIG. 4C, collar clip 425 hasconnecting tabs 435 that fit into holes 430 (shown in FIG. 4B) to securecollar clip 425 to adapter plate 405.

[0073] The mounting pins shown, for example, in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4A and 4Band the connecting tabs shown, for example, in FIG. 4C may be configuredin any suitable shape, such as cylindrical, tabular, squared, pointed,etc. The pins or tabs are preferably configured to correspond to thehole or region in which the pins or tabs will reside. The clip shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C may be mounted on an adapter plate or substrate andthe adapter plate or substrate may be mounted on a host PWA by a varietyof methods. For example, the mounting pins of the adapter plate orsubstrate may be soldered into a host PWA or the mounting pins may bepressed into undersized openings that allow the mounting pins to be heldby the force of friction. In addition, the tabs or pins may snap into asuitable orifice on the adapter plate, substrate or host PWA.Preferably, the mounting pins or tabs have a length sufficient to securethe devices during soldering and/or further manipulation.

[0074]FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show alternative methods of securing anadapter plate or substrate to a host PWA. In FIG. 5A, adapter plate orsubstrate 500 has mounting pin 505. Mounting pin 505 fits into receivinghole 510 in host PWA 515. In this embodiment, mounting pin 505 may besecured in host PWA 515 by soldering, friction, or other suitable means.

[0075]FIG. 5B shows adapter plate or substrate 500′ with mounting pin505′. Mounting pin or stud 505′ is at least partially hollowed out andthreaded for receiving a screw 520′. Adapter plate or substrate 500′ maythus be secured to host PWA 515′ by connecting and tightening screw 520′in mounting pin 505′.

[0076]FIG. 5C shows adapter plate or substrate 500″ configured without amounting pin. Instead, adapter plate or substrate 500″ has a mountingsocket or region 525″ in a bottom surface of adapter plate or substrate500″ for receiving a screw 520″. Adapter plate or substrate 500″ maythus be secured to host PWA 515″ by connecting and tightening screw 520″directly in adapter plate or substrate 500″.

[0077] The screws shown, for example, in FIGS. 5B and 5C should be ofsufficient length to extend through a host PWA and to securely connectan adapter plate or substrate to the host PWA.

[0078]FIGS. 6A and 6B show top and bottom views, respectively, of anembodiment of an adapter of the present invention. Adapter plate 600 isconfigured with tabs 605 for positioning, restraining and orienting atransceiver (not shown). Adapter plate 600 is configured with mountingtabs 610 to provide a connection point for the adapter to be coupledwith a host PWA (not shown). Electrical contacts 615 and 620 onsubstrate 625 are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively. Electricalcontacts 615 provide electrical contact between the adapter and atransceiver. Electrical contacts 620 provide electrical contact betweenthe adapter and a host PWA.

[0079]FIGS. 7A and 7B show an adapter 700 with adapter plate 705 andelectrical connector 710 mounted thereon. Electrical connector 710provides electrical contacts 712 for aligning with the transceivercontacts (not shown). Electrical contacts 725 provide electrical contactbetween the adapter and a host PWA. Adapter plate 705 is also configuredwith tabs 715 for positioning, restraining and orienting a transceiver(not shown). Mounting tabs 720 provide a connection point for adapterplate 705 to be coupled with a host PWA (not shown).

[0080] The electrical contact arrays of the present invention may havesimilar or different patterns on the substrates and may provide a directelectrical path from top to bottom of the substrates, as determined bycircuit traces in the substrate layers.

[0081] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art thatany suitable mechanical connecting means, such as snaps, pins, screws,tabs, solder, etc. may be used to couple the adapter plate or substrateto a host PWA.

[0082]FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an embodiment of adapter 800 accordingto the present invention. Adapter 800 is configured with transceivermounting clips 805. Transceiver mounting clips 805 mechanically couplewith a transceiver (not shown) to secure the transceiver to substrate825. Adapter 800 is also configured with mounting pins 810. Mountingpins 810 provide a connection point for adapter 800 to be coupled with ahost PWA (not shown). Electrical contacts 815 and 820 are shown in FIGS.8A and 8B, respectively. Electrical contacts 815 provide electricalcontact between adapter 800 and a transceiver. Electrical contacts 820provide electrical contact between adapter 800 and a host PWA.

[0083]FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an alternative embodiment of an adapterof the present invention. Adapter 900 is configured with transceivermounting clips 905. Transceiver mounting clips 905 mechanically couplewith a transceiver (not shown) to secure the transceiver to substrate925. Adapter 900 is also configured with mounting pins 910. Mountingpins 910 provide a connection point for adapter 900 to be coupled with ahost PWA (not shown). Electrical contacts 915 and 920 are shown in FIGS.9A and 9B, respectively. Electrical contacts 915 provide electricalcontact between adapter 900 and a transceiver. Electrical contacts 920provide electrical contact between adapter 900 and a host PWA.

[0084]FIG. 10A shows exemplary electrical contact footprints 1005 on ahost PWA 1000 coupled with chassis 1010. FIG. 10B shows transceivers1015 coupled with host PWA 1000. Each transceiver 1015 specificallymates with electrical contact footprints 1005.

[0085]FIG. 11A shows an embodiment of an adapter 1105 of the presentinvention coupled with an electrical contact footprint (not shown) onhost PWA 1100. Adapter plate 1105 is shown with tabs 1110 for securing atransceiver to substrate 1112. Substrate 1112 is configured withelectrical contacts 1115. Electrical contacts 1115 provide electricalcontact between substrate 1112 and a transceiver. FIG. 11B shows anelectrical connector 1120 mounted on substrate 1112. Electricalconnector 1120 provides electrical contacts 1117 for electricallyconnecting the transceiver contacts (not shown) with electrical contacts1115. FIG. 11C shows a transceiver 1125 coupled with adapter 1130.Adapter 1130 is shown with electrical connector 1120 mounted onsubstrate 1112 on adapter plate 1105. Adapter 1130 is also shown withtabs 1110 for securing transceiver 1125 to adapter plate 1105.

[0086]FIGS. 12A and 12B show transceiver 1200 coupled with adapter 1205.Adapter 1205 is shown with electrical connector 1210 mounted onsubstrate 1212 on adapter plate 1215. Adapter 1205 is also shown withtabs 1220 for securing transceiver 1200 to adapter plate 1215. Tabs 1220are configured to interact with cutouts 1225 located on transceiver1200. Adapter plate 1215 is configured with mounting tabs 1230 toprovide a connection point for adapter plate 1215 to be coupled with ahost PWA (not shown). Electrical contacts 1235 are shown in FIG. 12B.Electrical contacts 1235 provide electrical contact between substrate1212 and a host PWA.

[0087]FIGS. 13A and 13B show an alternative embodiment of an adapter ofthe present invention coupled with an electrical contact footprint (notshown) on host PWA 1325. Adapter 1300 is shown with electrical connector1305 mounted on substrate 1310. Electrical connector 1305 provideselectrical contacts 1307 for electrically connecting with thetransceiver contacts (not shown). Adapter 1300 is also shown with clip1315 for securing transceiver 1320 to adapter 1300.

[0088]FIGS. 14A and 14B show an embodiment of an adapter of the presentinvention. Adapter 1400 is configured with electrical connector 1405 inelectrical contact with a footprint adapting substrate 1410. Footprintadapting substrate 1410 provides electrical communication betweenelectrical connector electrical contacts 1415 and adapter 1400. FIG. 14Bshows the coupling of transceiver 1435 with adapter 1400 and thecoupling of adapter 1400 with host PWA 1430. FIG. 14B also shows theextension of transceiver 1435 through chassis 1440 at chassis opening1445. Adapter plate 1420 is configured with electrical contacts (notshown) that interact with footprint adapting substrate 1410. Adapterplate 1420 is also configured with electrical contacts 1425 to providean electrical contact between adapter plate 1420 and a host PWA 1430.

[0089]FIG. 15A shows exemplary electrical contact footprints 1505 on ahost PWA 1500 coupled with chassis 1510. FIG. 15B shows an electricalconnector 1520 mounted on an electrical contact footprint 1505 of hostPWA 1500. Electrical connector 1520 provides electrical contacts 1515for aligning with the transceiver electrical contacts (not shown). FIG.15C shows a transceiver 1525 coupled with electrical connector 1520mounted on host PWA 1500. FIG. 15D shows a bottom perspective view oftransceiver 1525 coupled with mating electrical connector 1530.Electrical contacts 1535 on mating electrical connector 1530 provideelectrical contact with electrical connector 1520 and host PWA 1500.Mating electrical connector 1530 is designed to mate with electricalconnector 1520. Together, electrical connector 1520 and matingelectrical connector 1530 comprise a mateable electrical connector.

[0090]FIGS. 16A and 16B show transceiver 1600 mounted on host PWA 1605.Transceiver 1600 is secured to host PWA 1605 with screws 1610. Screws1610 are shown as allen-head screws, but may be any suitable screw orany other suitable securing means for securing transceiver 1600 to hostPWA 1605. Other possible suitable securing means include, but are notlimited to, latches, pins and clamps. Screws 1610 interact with mountingsockets or threaded regions, or other appropriate securing regions, oftransceiver 1600 to secure transceiver 1600 to host PWA 1605.Transceiver 1600 also contacts chassis 1615 at chassis opening 1620 withEMI fingers 1625. EMI fingers 1625 reduce the emission ofelectromagnetic interference from chassis opening 1620.

[0091] The structures and techniques described herein for mating andde-mating transceivers to host PWA's are part of the present inventionwhether or not they include an adapter substrate.

[0092] The present invention includes embodiments in which thetransceiver extends though the chassis as well as embodiments in whichthe transceiver does not extend through the chassis. An adapter of thepresent invention may be configured to allow a transceiver to bepositioned at various locations on the host PWA. Preferably the featuresmounted on the host PWA are configured such that EMI emission throughthe chassis is limited. The attachment or connection means discussedthroughout the present application allow a transceiver to be coupledwith a host PWA with little or no mechanical stress. Knowntransceiver/PWA configurations generally do not prefer placement of thetransceiver away from the chassis wall due to increased EMI emission. Inaddition, known transceiver/PWA configurations generally encountermechanical stress if the transceiver is placed proximal to or very nearthe chassis opening and coupled with a host PWA not specificallymanufactured to mate with the transceiver. In such known configurations,the inflexibility of transceiver placement and configuration increasesmechanical stress. The present invention alleviates these problems byproviding alternative mounting pin arrangements to enable a transceiverto mate with a host PWA not specifically manufactured to mate with thetransceiver without increasing mechanical stress.

[0093] The electrical contacts on the host PWA, transceiver, adapter,substrate and/or electrical connector may be any suitable contacts, suchas pin type, shown for example in FIG. 6B, or L leads, shown for examplein FIG. 9B. The contacts may be present in any configuration or number.Exemplary contact configurations are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in which10×10, 8×10, 9×9 and 6×12 MEG grid array connectors are shown.

[0094] The adapter plates of the present invention may have a uni-bodyconstruction, i.e. formed from a single sheet of metal by known metalstamping and metal working techniques. In embodiments, the adapterplates may be constructed from steel, copper or metal alloys that havegood electrical conductivity. The adapter plates may be made into acompleted unit by folding a single sheet, formed, for example, byetching, machining or stamping, and bending the metal to form anyassociated tabs.

[0095] Although one preferred way for forming the adapter plates of thepresent invention is described above, the adapter plates of the presentinvention may be made in a variety of ways such as die cast assembliesof parts, or as a separate collection of parts serving the requiredfunction.

[0096] Preferred materials for making substrates of the presentinvention are materials providing electrically conductive circuit tracesand vias for conductivity through inner layers. Substrates may befabricated from standard circuit board (PWB) materials such as ceramics,multi-layer ceramics, elastomers, fiber-glass, duroids, and otherlow-loss materials for RF application. The various tabs of the adapterplates or substrates may be formed by stamping or chemically etching andthen bending the tabs using known metal working techniques.Alternatively, the adapter plates may be constructed by other means,such as die casting, using suitable metals, such as zinc, or utilizingseparate parts.

[0097] Although the present invention has been fully described inconjunction with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes andmodifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changesand modifications are to be understood as included within the scope ofthe invention defined by the appended claims, unless departingtherefrom.

1. A transceiver adapter, comprising: a substrate, including electricalcontacts on a first side thereof for electrically contacting atransceiver, and electrical contacts on a second side thereof forelectrically contacting a printed wire assembly. 2-33 (Canceled)